Circuit breaker selective trip mechanism



CIRCUIT BREAKER SELECTIVE TRIP MECHAISM ,EVRM/@ CLL/2,7

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K. w. KLEIN CIRCUIT BREAKER SELECTIVE'TRIP MECHANISM Aug. 26,1969

Filed may 11, 1967 n FIG. 1o M BREAKERS TURNED OFF BY HANDLE INTERCONNECTIDN BREAKERS TRIPPED BY INTERCNNECTION BREAKER TRIPPED BY CURRENT 'LGA 26B 26C 26D 26E BREAKER FIRST OPERATED To oFF CONDITION 26A 26B 26C 26D 26E United States Patent 3,464,045 CIRCUIT BREAKER SELECTIVE TRIP MECHANISM Keith W. Klein, Simsbury, Conn., assgnor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Filed May 11, 1967, Ser. No. 637,815 Int. Cl. H0111 71 /16 U.S. Cl. 337-35 6 Claims ABSTRACT 0F THE DISCLOSURE A circuit breaker assembly including a plurality of circuit breaker units having selectively interconnectable trip means. A trip bar is provided which connects circuit breakers so that trip action of a masteror controlling cam causes tripping of all breakers, but tripping of a slave, or controlled cam does not cause tripping of the other breakers. Controlled trip cams may in turn be provided with extensions so that a controlled cam may also act as a subcontrolling cam to cause other selected cams to trip therewith. A similar controlling-controlled relationship both on a primaiy and secondary basis, can be provided by special interconnection of the handles of the circuit breakers.

Background and summary of the invention The inventor has observed that it would often be useful to have tripping of one circuit breaker selectively cause the tripping of other circuit breakers, for safety or convenience reasons.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a multibreaker assembly wherein all breakers are tripped when one or more controlling circuit breakers are tripped and, in which, separate controlled circuit breakers may be tripped without affecting the others.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multibreaker assembly wherein only the tripping of a controlling breaker causes the tripping of all the circuit breakers and, wherein, the tripping of some controlled breakers causes tripping of other selected controlled breakers.

Still another object is to provide such an interconnected trip mechanism which acts within the circuit breakers.

A still further object is to provide such an interconnected trip mechanism which acts externally on the handles of the circuit breakers.

The objects of my invention are achieved in one form thereof by providing a trip bar running through the circuit breakers, located adjacent trip carns within each of the circuit breakers. The controlling trip cam is connected to the trip bar whereas the controlled trip cams are disposed only on one side of the trip bar. Movement of a controlling trip cam in the tripping direction causes similar movement of the trip bar and hence tripping of all circuit breakers, whereas tripping of a controlled cam does not cause movement of the trip bar and may not cause other breakers to trip. Extended members on controlled trip cams may be provided so that tripping movement of certain controlled (referred to as subcontrolling) trip cams will cause tripping movement of other controlled trip cams so that virtually any desired relation of controlling and controlled tripping relations can be obtained. A somewhat similar interconnection mechanism may be used on the individual handles of the circuit breakers to establish comparable relations of on-oit operation.

The subject matter which I regard as my invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims which are at the conclusion of the specification.

Brief description of the drawings The embodiments of my invention are described in detail in the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE l is a top view of a circuit breaker panel ar- -rangement employing the subject invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary side view of the circuit breaker employing the subject invention showing the breaker in an on, untripped position;

FIGURE 3 is a side view of a portion of the trip mechanism after the circuit breaker has been tripped;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of a controlling trip cam;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a controlled trip cam;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a trip cam and trip bar assembly showing a controlling-controlled relationship;

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of a trip bar and trip cam assembly showing both a controlling-controlled relationship and subcontrolling-subcontrolled relationship between the cams;

`FIGURE y8 is a somewhat diagrammatic top view of the subcontrolling-subcontrolled relationship between the cams;

FIGURE 9 is a chart showing the tripping interrelations among the circuit breaker configuration shown in FIG- URES 7, 8 and l2;

FIGURE l0 is a top view of a portion of a multi-breaker assembly employing an external controlling-controlled mechanism on the handles;

FIGURE 11 is a side view of one of the circuit breakers shown in FIGURE 10;

FIGURE 12 is a somewhat diagrammatic top view of a multibreaker assembly employing an external controlling-controlled mechanism and an internal subcontrollingsubcontrolled mechanism;

FIGURE 13 is a somewhat diagrammatic top view of a multibreaker assembly employing external controllingcontrolled and subcontrolling-subcontrolled mechanisms; and

FIGURE 14 is a chart showing the tripping inter-relations among the circuit breaker configuration shown in FIGURE 13.

Description of the preferred embodiments FIGURE 1 shows a panel board assembly which includes three substantially parallel bus bars 10, 12, 14 connected at one end to their respective terminals 16, 18, 20. The bus bars are embedded within an insulating material 22. A series of aligned, blade-like contacts 24 extend outwardly from the insulating material 22 and are selectively connected to the bus bars 1.0, 12, 14. Plug-in type circuit breakers 26 engage the contacts 24 on one end so as to be electrically connected to an electrical power supply via the terminals, bus bars and contacts. The circuit breakers 26 may have the end opposite the contact 24 engaged to a support structure 28 by means of a hook-on engagement through apertures 30 in the support structure.

In FIGURE 2 an internal circuit breaker trip mechanism including the subject invention is shown. The circuit breaker 26 includes a two-part insulating casing 32, in which the parts of this circuit breaker are received and supported in formed bearing surfaces and abutments molded integral with the casing. A movable contact arm 34 is provided which carries a movable contact member 36. The movable contact member 36 is adapted to engage a stationary contact 38 carried by a tang portion 40 of a generally U-shaped, plug-in type socket member 42.

The contact arm 34 has its upper end portion resting in bearing recesses in a molded insulating handle 44, which in turn is pivotally supported for rotation about its hub 46 in the insulating casing.

The intermediate portion of the contact member 34 is connected by an overcenter spring 58 to an intermediate portion of a movable releasable member 50. The releasable member 50 is pivotally supported on a pivot pin 52 in the insulating casing at one end, and carries a latch portion 54 at the other end. The latch portion 54 of the releasable member 50 is normally in engagement with a latch projection 56 carried by an elongated combination latch member 58 which is pivotally supported in the casing at 60. The latch member 58 is biased counterclockwise by a compression spring 62. A bimetallic control mechanism may be included within the circuit breaker, but, however, is not shown as it is not necessary to understanding the operation of the subject invention.

For the purpose of providing common tripping of more than one circuit breaker mounted in a side-by-side, juxtaposed relation, a trip bar support member 64 is provided, pivotally supported on a pivot pin 66 and having an opening through which a common trip bar 68 extends. In use, the common trip bar 68 extends through adjacent walls of a plurality of circuit breakers and has a portion extending into the trip bar supporting member 64 of each.

In FIGURE 2 the circuit breaker is shown in the closed, on position. When the latch projection 56 is withdrawn from the latch portion 54 of the releasable Imember 50, as by action of the bimetallic control mechanism or by pivotal movement of the trip bar support member 64 against the latch member 58, the member 50 is released. The force of the overcenter spring 58 pulling downward on intermediate portion of the member 58 rotates the member 50 in a counterclockwise direction, thereby moving the line of action of the spring across the pivot point 70 of the movable contact member, and causing the Contact member to be moved quickly to the open off or tripped position, as shown in FIGURE 3. This occurs whether or not the handle member 44 is forcibly restrained in the on or closed position.

Following the tripping of the circuit breaker, the circuit breaker may be reset by first moving the handle 44 from the center or trip-indicating position, as shown in FIGURE 3, to the full oft position. When the handle is moved in this manner, the extensions 44A of the handle 44 engage a pin 72 carried by the releasable member 50 and thereby cause the releasable member 50 to rotate in a clockwise direction until the latch portion 54 is once again in engagement with the latch projection 56.

Common tripping action for the several circuit breakers is provided through the trip bar 68. When the trip bar d support member 64 moves in a clockwise direction during tripping, it carries with it the trip bar 68. The trip bar 68, since it extends into a similar trip bar support member 64 of the adjacent breaker, causes the adjacent breakers trip bar support member to similarly rotate clockwise. When the trip bar support member 64 of the adjacent circuit breaker is rotated in this manner, its lower end engages the latch member 58 of that breaker, causing it to move away from the latch portion 54 of the releasable member S in that breaker, thereby causing it to trip also.

The trip bar support member, which has been described above in connection with FIGURES 2 and 3, acts as a controlling trip cam and is so referred to in the remainder of the specication. The controlling cam 64 which is shown in greater detail in FIGURE 4, may rotate about its pivot 66, as described above. A rectangular aperture '76 extends completely therethrough so that a portion of the trip bar 68 may be received therein. Therefore, clock-wise movement of the controlling cam 64 is transmitted to the trip bar 68 and clockwise movement of the trip bar 68 is transmitted to the controlling cam 64.

A controlled cam 78 which can receive rotational movement in a clockwise direction from the trip bar 68 is shown in FIGURE 5. The controlled cam 78 is quite similar in appearance to the controlling cam 64 and includes a pivot portion 80. However, instead of an aperture 76 extending through the controlling cam 64, a groove 82, open on one side of the controlled cam 78, is provided. The trip bar 68 extends within the groove 82, so that clockwise rotation of the trip bar 68 is transmitted to the controlled cam 78, but clockwise rotation of the controlled cam 78 will not be transmitted to the trip bar 68. It will be observed that this establishes a one-way type connection between the trip bar 68 and the controlled cam member 78.

An example of the controlling-controlled common tripping mechanism for use with ve circuit breakers is shown in FIGURE 6. Two controlling cams 64a, 64b and three controlled cams 78a, 78b, 78C are interrelated by the trip bar 68. From FIGURE 6 it can readily be seen that if the circuit breaker having controlling cam 64a or 64b is tripped, it will pivot clockwise so as to cause the trip bar 68 to pivot clockwise, thereby forcing all of the cams to move clockwise and trip all the circuit breakers in the manner described above. However, if any one of the circuit breakers having the controlled cams 78a, 78h, 78C are tripped, the controlled cam associated with that circuit breaker will pivot clockwise so as to trip the breaker, but due to the open-ended groove, the trip bar will remain stationary and hence the remaining breakers will remain untripped.

Another embodiment of the subject invention is shown in FIGURE 7 wherein the common trip mechanism has both a controlling-controlled relation and a subcontrolling-subcontrolled relationship. The mechanism includes a controlling cam 64, controlled cams 84, 86, 38, and a trip bar 68 connecting the cams. The controlled cams which also act as subcontrolling and subcontrolled cams have interengaging extensions on the lower portions thereof, as shown in FIGURES 7 and 8 so that certain of the controlled cams (subcontrolling) will cause the common tripping with certain other controlled cams (subcontrolled).

The interrelation among the cams is shown by FIG- URE 7 and diagrammatically by FIGURE 8. When controlling trip cam 64 is tripped, all of the other cams 84, 86, 88, 90 are tripped, due to the trip bar 68 acting on the cams. When trip cam 84 (subcontrolling) is tripped it causes the tripping of cam 86 (subcontrolled) due to the action of extension 84 on extension 86. The tripping of cam 86 does not aiect the other cams as it is not connected to any of them. If cam 88 (subcontrolling) is tripped, cam 86 (subcontrolled) is also tripped, by the action of extension 88 on extension 86". When cam 90 (subcontrolling) is tripped, cams 88 and 86 (subcontrolled) are also tripped due to the action of extension 90 on extension 88" and extension 88 on extension 86. Of course, as described above, a subcontrolling cam, such as 88, may also serve as a subcontrolled to another subcontrolling cam, such as 90. From this it can readily be seen that any combination of adjacent trip cams can be interconnected to provide selective tripping action therefor. It is also obvious that the subcontrolling-subcontrolled relationship alone may be used (i.e., without the controlling-controlled relationship).

The tripping relationship between the cams of the circuit breakers shown in FIGURES 7 and 8 can most easily and clearly be seen by reference to the chart shown in FIGURE 9. Reading across, the Xs denote those circuit breakers which are caused to be tripped when the specific breaker noted in the vertical column is tripped. For example, when breaker 26A, is tripped, it trips breakers 26B, 26C, 26D and 26E. When breaker 26B is tripped, it trips only breaker 26C. The other tripping relationships, in a similar manner, can be readily ascertained from the chart.

FIGURES 10 through 13 relate to a second embodiment of the subject invention wherein at least a portion of the common trip mechanism is accomplished by interrelatng the switch handles externally of the circuit breaker casing. A plurality of circuit breakers using an external controlling-controlled common trip mechanism are shown in FIGURE 10. The handles 44 of a number of adjacent circuit breakers 26 are connected by a -trip bar 96. The trip bar 96 has at least one enlarged portion 98 with an aperture 100 therein approximately the same size as the corresponding handle. A handle 44 is inserted through the aperture :100. The circuit breaker of this handle is the controlling trip breaker, as whenever the controlling breaker is tripped the other breakers are also tripped. The trip bar 96 is supported at an end by a pivotally mounted handle extension support 102 so that the trip bar 96 may move easily. The trip bar 96 engages one surface of the handles 44 of the controlled breakers so that when the tripping movement of the controlling handle causes the trip bar 96 to move in a corresponding manner, all of the handles of the controlled breakers will be correspondingly moved. But, in the embodiment shown in FIGURE 10, the tripping of a controlled breaker will not affect any of the other breakers. Of course, one or more controlling trip portions can be located anywhere along the trip bar 96 to perform the same function.

From FIGURE 11 it can readily be seen that the trip direction (from on to oif) is in a counterclockwise rotational direction so that movement of the trip bar 96 as shown in FIGURE l0 in a downward direction twill cause tripping of all of the circuit breaker handles.

FIGURE l2 is a diagrammatic View of the external controlling-controlled trip mechanism in combination with the subcontrolling-subcontrolled trip mechanism shown in FIGURE 8. The use of the external controlling-controlled trip mechanism, as explained above in regard to FIGURE 10, and the internal subcontrolling-subeontrolled common trip mechanism, as explained in relation to FIGURES 7 and 8 and shown by FIGURE 9, results in a mechanism which acts in a similar manner and performs the same function Vas that shown in FIGURE 7.

In FIGURE 13 a further adaptation of the external, common trip mechanism is shown wherein a subcontrolling-subcontrolled relationship is additionally provided on the handles. Extension adaptor members, such as 104, 106, are positioned on corresponding switch handles 44. Member 104 has two extensions 1104', 104" so that adjacent circuit breakers (subcontrolled) both to the left and the right will be tripped when the circuit breaker 26C (subcontrolling) is tripped. Adaptor member 106 is mounted on a handle 44 of another subcontrolling circuit breaker 26D. The member 106 has an extension 106 so that the adjacent circuit breaker 26E (subcontrolled) to the right will be tripped when the breaker 26D (subcontrolling) is tripped.

FIGURE 14 shows the operation of the controllingcontrolled and subcontrolling-subcontrolled relationship of the embodiment shown in FIGURE l2. The chart shown in FIGURE 14 can be read in the same manner as described above in relation to the chart shown in FIG- URE 9.

Of course a common trip mechanism can be provided wherein the controlling-controlled relationship is obtained by the internal mechanism (as shown in FIGURE 6) and the subcontrolling-subcontrolled relationship is obtained by the external mechanism on the handles (as shown in a portion of FIGURE 12).

The subject invention as described above, thus provides a selective trip mechanism wherein any one or more of a -group of circuit breakers can be selectively tripped by other selected circuit breakers within the group. Particularly, external and internal selective trip mechanisms or any combination thereof are shown. In the case of the external common trip mechanism, the common trip relationship can readily be changed without removal of the circuit breakers. Also, where it is desirable to inhibit tampering, an internally mounted trip mechanism is provided. Any combination of external and internal common trip mechanism may also be provided.

The common trip mechanisms as described above are merely illustrative and are subject .to many modifications within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A multiple circuit breaker assembly comprising:

(a) a plurality of circuit breakers, said assembly including insulating means deiining a closed chamber for each of said circuit breakers, means mounting said circuit breakers in side-'by-side relation, tripping means in each of said chambers, movement of each of said tripping means in a given direction when the corresponding circuit breaker is in on position causing said circuit breaker to Ibe tripped to an oli or open position;

(b) interconnecting means interconnecting at least a rst and second one of said circuit breaker tripping means, said interconnecting means comprising a rigid extension having a portion closely adjacent and in the path of movement of said tripping means of said first circuit breaker and passing closely adjacent said tripping means of said second circuit breaker at the side thereof opposite said given direction whereby tripping movement of said tripping means of said first circuit breaker causes tripping movement of said tripping means of said second circuit breaker but tripping movement of said tripping means of said second circuit breakers does not cause tripping movement of said iirst circuit breaker.

2. A multiple circuit 'breaker assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said assembly includes at least three circuit breakers and wherein said interconnecting means comprises an elongated substantially rigid member fixedly attached to said tripping means of said iirst circuit breaker, said interconnecting means extending across said tripping means of all three circuit breakers.

3. A multiple circuit breaker assembly comprising:

(a) a plurality of circuit breakers each including insulating means defining a closed chamber for each of said circuit breakers, means mounting said circuit breakers in side-by-side relation, tripping means in each of said cham-bers, movement of each of said tripping means in a given direction when the corresponding circuit breaker is in on position causing said circuit breaker to rbe tripped to an oi or open position;

(b) interconnecting means interconnecting said tripping means of all of said circuit breakers;

(c) means connecting said tripping means of at least one of said circuit breakers to said interconnecting means whereby tripping movement of said tripping means of said one circuit breaker causes movement of said interconnecting means in tripping direction;

(d) means connecting said tripping means of at least one other of said circuit breakers to said interconnecting means with a one-way type connection whereby movement of said interconnecting means in said tripping direction causes movement of said tripping means of said one other circuit breaker in said tripping direction but movement of said tripping means of said one other circuit breaker in said tripping direction does not cause movement of said interconnecting means in said tripping direction.

4. A multiple circuit breaker assembly comprising:

(a) a plurality of circuit breakers, said assembly including insulating means defining a closed chamber for each of said circuit breakers, means mounting said circuit breakers in side-by-side relation, a pivotally mounted trip bar support member in each of said chambers, movement of each of said pivotally supported trip bar support members in a given direction when the corresponding circuit breaker is in on position causing said circuit breaker to be tripped to an oli or open position;

(b) interconnecting means carried Iby said trip bar support member of at least one of said circuit breakers interconnecting said trip 'bar support member of said one circuit breaker and the trip bar support -member of at least one other of said circuit breakers, said interconnecting means having a positive connection with said trip bar support member of said one circuit breaker and having a one-way connection with said trip bar support member of said other of circuit breakers, whereby movement of said trip bar support member of said one circuit breaker in said `6. A multiple electric circuit breaker assembly comprising:

I(a) a plurality of electric circuit breakers;

given direction causes tripping movement of said 10 (b) insulating means separately enclosing each of said trip bar member of said other of said support memcircuit breakers;

ber, but movement of said trip her support member (e) a trip member Supported by each of said insulatof said other of said circuit breakers in said given ing housing members of each of said electric circuit direction does not cause tripping movement of said breakers;

trip bar support member of said one circuit breaker. (d) means mounting all of said circuit breakers in side- 5. A multiple electric circuit breaker assembly cornprising:

(a) a plurality of circuit breakers, said assembly including insulating means defining a closed chamber by-side relation;

(e) means interconnecting said trip means of at least one of said circuit breakers to said trip means of at least one other of said circuit breakers, said confor each of said circuit breakers, means mounting necting means comprising a one-way connection said circuit breakers in side-by-side relation, each of whereby tripping movement of said trip member of said circuit breakers having a manually operable said one circuit breaker causes tripping movement of handle member projecting through an opening in a said trip member of said other of said circuit corresponding wall thereof and movable between breakers but tripping movement of said other ciron and off positions, said manually operable cuit breaker does not cause tripping movement 0f handles being in alignment when said circuit said trip member of said one circuit breaker. breakers are in-said on position; (-b) interconnecting means interconnecting at least a References Cited first and second one of said circuit breaker manually UNITED STATES PATENTS Operable handles: 2,889,428 6/1959 Kingdom et al 337--47 (c) means rigidly connecting said interconnecting 2,995,589 3/1961 Myers 337 4g means to said rst one of said manually operable handles;

(d) means connecting said interconnecting means to said second one of said manually operable handle members with a one-Way connection whereby movement of said first manually operable handle from on toward oit position moves said second one of 3,213,326- 1/1965 Gryctko.

BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner R. L. COHRS, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 337-047; 048 

